Nyx
Nyx, Goddess of Night, is the primordial Creatrix. In the beginning, according to one Greek myth, there was Chaos—the Void who brought forth Nyx, her daughter and eldest child. Chaos had more children (no partner necessary; she is a solitary conceiver) including a son Erebus (Darkness or Shadow) with whom Nyx united and conceived a daughter, Hemera (Day). Nyx shares a house with Hemera, although they never see each other: when one comes home through the back door, the other leaves through the front.
That’s one myth. In an Orphic myth, Nyx existed from the beginning in the guise of a great black-winged bird hovering in endless darkness. No creation was necessary. Nyx was always here. Eventually this solitary bird laid an egg, which cracked in half: Eros, the beautiful gold-winged Spirit of Love emerged. One half of the eggshell became Gaia, the Earth, while the other half became Uranus, the Sky. Nyx is thus considered the all-powerful ancestress of all. Even Zeus fears her.
Depending on the version of the myth, Nyx may also be the mother of Nemesis, the Moirae (a.k.a. the Fates), the Hesperides, Hypnos (Sleep), Morpheus (Dream), Eris (Discord), Thanatos (Death), and Momus (Ridicule).
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Nox
ORIGIN:
Greek
MANIFESTATION:
A woman wearing a black veil studded with stars
Time:
Night
Bird:
Owl
Flowers:
Poppies, especially opium poppies
SACRED SITES:
She was venerated at the sacred walnut tree of Benevento, Italy, alongside Diana and Proserpina.
SEE ALSO:
- Diana
- Eris
- Eros
- Fates (1)
- Gaia
- Hesperides
- Hypnos
- Lampades
- Moira
- Morpheus
- Nemesis
- Proserpina
- Thanatos
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
